About last night … with audio

The game was so dull I can’t even bring myself to watch L’Antichambre.

To their immense credit – and Randy Cunneyworth deserves props for this – the Canadiens played hard in Carolina.

It was the second game of a back-to-back, and it lasted 65 minutes.

Through that time, Peter Budaj made 28 saves.

He is signed for one more season, and Budaj is ending 2011-’12 on an upbeat note.

But let’s cut to the chase:

The Canadiens have locked in 28th place in the NHL standings.

They can still be overtaken by Edmonton and bumped down to 29th, which would enhance the Canadiens’ chances of winning the draft lottery Tuesday night.

As things stand – and as best I can interpret the lottery system – the Canadiens will draft no later than the four hole in the opening round.

This may bump them out of the running for Nail Yakupov or Mikhail Grigorenko. But a solid centre prospect should be available when someone steps up to the podium in Pittsburgh on June 22 to announce the Canadiens’ pick.

Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting? He’s 6’2″ , weighs 185 and will fill out his frame. Galchenyuk tore up his knee and missed almost all of Sarnia’s season, but some scouts see him as another Marion Hossa.

How about Radek Faksa, a Czech kid playing for the Kitchener Rangers. Also 6’2″ and highly regarded.

The Canadiens haven’t had a Swedish star since Mats Naslund. They might consider Filip Forsberg, who has been honing his first-round talent in the Swedish Elite league.

Is this too much draft geekery for y’all?

Would you rather I write about monotonous and poorly-played game that transpired in a Carolina arena that was quieter than a Crescent St. bar?

A lower Crescent St. bar.

OK, here are your highlights:

• Frédéric St. Denis blocked more shots than Josh Gorges. The late-blooming defenceman, a rookie at the age of 26, is exhibiting Gorges-like smarts and has played himself into at least the team’s preliminary plans for 2012-’13.

• P.K. Subban played only 20:15 because he took three penalties. P.K. leads the league with 46 minors – three more than Scott Hartnell, who makes players remember the fouls he commits on them. P.K.’s time in the box is a consequence of indiscipline. It’s something P.K. has to work on, and if you’ve followed the evolution of his game this season, there’s no doubt he’ll improve.

• The power play was 0-for-7. The Canadiens are 28th in the league – matching their standing – with an efficiency of 14.4 per cent. Puck movement has improved since Andrei Markov returned, but there’s too much perimeter play and not enough finish on the PP.

• David Desharnais is on fire in the faceoff circle: 26-12 over his last two games.

• Tomas Plekanec leads the known universe in shorthanded breakaways.

• Blake Geoffrion scored for the first time since the March 10 game in Vancouver. Nice goal, too: a wraparound that beat Cam ward, who was spectacular and made 30 saves. The kid is hardly the reincarnation of his grandfather or great-grandfather, but it’s nice to see Geoffrion getting some ice time before the curtain falls.

• In Aaron Palushaj, Brad Staubitz and the indefatigable Gabriel Dumont, the Canadiens may have discovered a fourth line that plays like an effective fourth line, i.e. unpleasant and annoying for the guys in the other jerseys.

That’s about all I noticed, apart from aborted breakaways and odd man rushes, passes into skates and general sloppiness and inattention to detail.

But the Canadiens showed up in the second game of a back-to-back. They tried to win.

The Canadiens played with honour, and that must have generated good karma because results elsewhere in the league ensured they’ll have the chance to draft a promising kid.

92 Comments

That Orpik knee was intentional.No question in my mind. And Torts is right. I heard today he ( Torts ) got fined 20 grand for saying what he did. Worth every penny ! Way to go Torts and keep up the good work.We all know the NHL sucks eggs.

“I figure ?? has one or 2 moves left to bring the Habs that extra step closer to perhaps being the best in the league.” – Einstein

Happy to hear we have a 4th line … No joke look at what ice time has done for Chris Neil He wasn’t a sure thing but he showed up against Domi and every other guy he faced. Give Staubitz a chance he’s only 27

Gmur is 100 percent right! Also It has become increasingly hard to read some of the crap that passes for comments on here. Only here is the French issue still debatet by kids and short sighted self centerd bigots alike . Hey dummy’s !! You support he MONTREAL Canadiens !! A team steeped in French history not to mention engrained in the fabric of Quebec culture. French IS important!! In this franchise .. Get over it!! If the language thing is such an issue I am pretty sure there is a team down the road in Toronto that represents the ever wronged English speaking public. Thy could always use a few more fans and the intellectual conversation promises to be right up your alleys . YOU SOUND LIKE LEAF FANS!

@bangbang
…I was a goalie Myself and your arguments re fast-twitch, glove positioning and dropping too low and too soon are issues I have made Myself on Carey
…so We agree on many things Banger …but where We vary is I have seen Carey also grow and improve …for his age, 24, Carey is on-track
to be a Top5 goalie in the NHL …to trade an asset 90 % of other NHL team would swap their wives for, to Me, is asinine

I dont know HIS…Everybody’s tradeable if the return justifies it. Good goalies arent as hard to find as key (30 minutes per game) d-men or key centremen, and Price really hasnt been a game changer so far. Not saying he wont be one day, but it wouldve been nice to see the habs afford half the patience with some other players like they have with Price.

[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.

My first choice for coach would be Ted Nolan, but I guess if it has to be a francophone, the best available IMO is Guy Carbonneau. I think he did rather well despite being hamstrung by Gainey’s insistence of Price at the time.

[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.

…even though We apparently assured a Top 3 with an outside possibility of The Number One …there is still the possibility We can screw it up
…my 2 gut-choices are Galchenyuk, as what little film I have seen of him he looks as close to a Malkin-clone as I have seen …big body, highly skilled, explosive speed for a centre, and a nose for the net
…the 10 minute video of Grigorenko shot by a Rempartes’ fan on YouTube was not impressive …so that and the ‘Russian Factor’ which spooks Me more than Galchenyuk’s knee, makes Galchenyuk My personal choice 1a
…1B, if Galcheyuk, Grigorenko and Yakopov not available, would be Mathew Dumba …Dumba, PK, Markov, Beaulieu, Tinordi and one or more of other promising D men in front of Carey Price for years would be wonderful to imagine
…if still there in the second I would leap on Malcolm Subban
…so My 3 horses in this Draft are Galchenyuk, Dumba and M Subban
…2 of those 3 will be like a very merry Christmas indeed …and 3 out of those 3, somehow, would be like winning the 6/49 lottery
This, with Brisson or Brisebois the new GM, and Roy, Larry Robinson and Guy Carbonneau our Coaching staff ? …would absolutely make Me forget the 2011/12 season ever happened

I totally agree on Galchenyuk although in the small sample size of games he played after coming back, he didn’t do much. But I do agree a weak knee is less scary than a weak heart. Disagree on Subban and Dumba. We need a high end forward. Dumba is supposed to be a more polished PK he’s a good pick if you were the Oilers. Forsberg is also pretty good, beyond the top 4 forwards, the other ones (like Faksa) apparently just don’t have enough high end talent to merit a top 3 pick. If he is still around I would like to see up pick up Tanner Pearson, he’s projected to go high 2nd round, I would like to see us either pick him or trade our 2 2nd rounders to get him.

Back from the Oilers game, of course when I’m cheering for them they lose….As some have said, Getzlaff sure would look good in a
Habs uniform. He scored the winner on a breakaway and took off like a freight train to the net.

Best part of the game was 2 total dickheads getting kicked out before the third period. They were cheering hard for Anaheim and whenever they scored they were hooting and hollering and standing up and cursing and giving the finger etc. Had probably 4-6 kids sitting around them. So take a guess at what teams uniform they each were wearing..(remember I said they were total obnoxious dickheads)…..

…….one was wearing a #29 Felix Potvin jersey and the worst one was of course wearing a #4 Bobby Orr jersey…..so if you guessed the 2 total obnoxious dickhead fans were a Leaf fan and Bruin fan, you definitely know your hockey!!!

I have a Seattle newscast playing in the background right now, and they have a segment with the proponent trying to build a new arena in Seattle. It has focused exclusively on bringing back the Sonics. They showed clips of the Sonics, interviewed fans with Sonics gear on saying how much they want their team back… The issue being discussed was potential vehicular traffic concerns if the new arena is built, and how it might interfere with the other sports stadiums in the area, especially the Mariners’. The proponent was at a podium for a press conference on site, and actually said: “I’m a fan of the Sonics, the Seahawks, the Mariners, the Sounders….” No mention was made of hockey, until the very end of the piece, where the anchor encouraged viewers to follow any developments on their website, with a screenshot of their web address and a Sonics and NHL logo. At least the logos were of equal size, although the Sonics was in the prominent left hand position.

Be honest now. Did you find yourself hoping that the Hurricanes’ powerplay unit would finally click on their many opportunities in the third period? Did you yell at the ref for not awarding a penalty shot to Eric Staal on his breakaway? How about the chance Chad Larose had with about five seconds left, did you wince when he booted it? Well, despite being a lifelong fan, and despite cheering every nice play (all two of them) les Glorieux made, I was guilty of all the aforementioned infractions. My biggest fear is having the Maple Leafs swiping our draft pick, not another loss at this point of the season.

If as fans we kinda sorta hope the Canadiens kinda sorta don’t win, we can’t fault the Canadiens to kinda sorta play with almost full effort. Guy Carbonneau had a knowing smile on as he explained before the game that for the last two games we could expect our boys to play with the tip of their stick (“du bout du bâton”), without total commitment and less inclination for sacrifice, so as to finish the season healthy and without injuries.

Different kind of Antichambre tonight, with Gino Odjick as a guest. He spoke of the need for the next management team to come from Québec and, interestingly, to be francophone, so that the team would have leadership with a deep love and passion for the CH, something which was in question with our last GM. He spoke of how the team needed to be a family again, one for all and all for one, and how ‘in the old days’, issues such as the Mike Cammalleri case and the Scott Gomez situation would have been taken care of in house, by the players. He also stated that the arguments between coaches and players on the bench during games would never have happened, that this would have been taken care of in the dressing room between periods. Mario Tremblay chimed in that players can feel when they are not loved by their coach and GM, that it kills their morale, and I guess he spoke from personal knowledge with his background and relationship with Scotty Bowman.

So a lot to chew on, although you have to take everything Mr. Odjick says with a grain of salt. He didn’t quite come out and say it, but he broadly explained that Mr. Gomez “would have been taken care of” during a practice. Someone please alert Commissioner Goodell.

His choice for GM is Julien BriseBois, who he knows personally and professionally and holds in high esteem. He spoke of his drive to improve and get better, of his strength of character and leadership, and his presence and bearing which commands respect. He later explained how the Canadiens used to have an advantage in Serge Savard as their GM, how they used to roll into opposition towns and rinks and feel somewhat superior or invincible with him at the helm of the ship. He stated again that the Canadiens needed that kind of leadership, and that Mr. BriseBois was the man to fill that role.

For coach, he was strongly in favour of Michel Thérrien returning to coach the team, stating that he had the hunger and the passion, that he had unfinished business and a Stanley Cup inside him. He refused to even consider any other candidates, Mr. Thérrien is his man.

In any case, no damage was done by the loser point, since the Leafs and the Wild won and the Oilers also got a a regulation tie point. Not much to say about the game itself, except that it was nice for Blake Geoffrion to score a goal. The kid has talent, he won the Hobey Baker award as the best collegiate player in the U.S., so there’s something to work with there. Our boy just needs to set up shop in Brossard this summer and do oodles of training to increase his leg strength and explosiveness. All summer long. No golf, no partying in Nashville. His career will be defined by the efforts he makes this summer.

The Orpik hit on Stephan was disgusting, but he’s not a Bruin so he won’t get a free pass. That said, he’ll only get a meaningless game or two. The NHL doesn’t give a rat’s *ss about its players. Really. If the Bruins were found to have done what the Saints did in the NFL, the league would give them extra points for ingenuity and appoint their GM to the HOF.

Thank goodness Toronto and the Islanders are even dumber than the Habs. This 3 points out of 4 run could have lost the Habs a difference maker for years to come. RC should never, ever work in hockey again. You really do need to understand the goal. When you’ve been setting the gold standard for sucking, the time to fix it is not in the last three games. Happily, now that the Leafs have denied us the opportunity to emulate them, we can kick their *ss on Saturday night and it won’t matter.

Oh well, baseball has started and the former Expos are 1-0 so life goes on.

In a year chock full of superior defenseman, the Habs will probably take a flyer on on of these forwards…The No. 1 consensus pick is an undersized guy who had better be Ovechkin (and not this year’s edition of Alex that shuffled through most to the season either) and eye popping in every offensive category. We will not be drafting him in all likelihood unless we win the lottery. The other choices are Grigarenko and its hard to get a read on him. Is that solitary report of him not giving his all and coasting really to be trusted? Is is a plant by some nefarious organization to ensure he falls to them? (cough..the Leafs) What about the American kid with the Russian name who missed almost the whole season? How good is he? “And does the Forsberg guy havemore than just a great last name? Or is he one of those “jack of all trades, master of none” types the Habs have drafted in the past? I’ll take the guy with the one, superior, NHL skill…(ie) Brett Hull shot, Mike Bossy release, Cournoyer blinding speed, thant the guy who does everything fairly well.

This is going to be a very interesting draft to say the least. I’m just not sure that we won’t one day regret not taking a Dman in a year that features many out and out top prospects at that position. I’m not overly hot on any of the forwards as I don’t think we are watching elite level talent there. Great talent,,,of course..but not franchise changing talent. And I will be very happy to be dead wrong. But I’d gladly trade our pick for a similiar one next year. Then again, we may be picking top 7 again next year..lol..who knows?

I think what Crosby went through can’t be taken lightly, but let’s get real- PIT have a bunch of dirty players with a history of dirty play. Won’t be long before someone on Bruins or Philly gets clocked and they’ll be whining etc.

Tortorella properly pissed at the Orpik hit on Stepan.
This is the 2nd time in the past week that PITT tactics come under fire. My pappy said the other guy can’t be wrong all the time – might be time for Mario to have a chat with his GM, head coach and house guest.
Their 1st round series vs Philly should be ‘ entertaining ‘ …

my question is do we really need another european, i get the high lottery draft but really how many high scoring eurpeans have we had that were high scorers (and i loved Koivu leave him out) i’m talking about high high potential scoring players(they were all part timers despite that comment i like Kovy lol i know i know), but maybe i’m wong. not hating, just past worries. we don’t need any more part timers than we already have. we want players with a giva a danm!
JE T’ADORE CETTE EQUIPE NOUS SOMMES CANADIENS!

When was the last time we had the chance to pick a Malkin or an Ovechkin or a Hossa??? We have a great looking young D so we have to take the big center we have coveted for the past 20 years… Girgorenko is our guy…

From my wishlist earlier:
1. the Habs play a solid game, but ultimately lose in regulation (almost, they played solidly, had quite a few good chances, but lost in the SO)
2. Toronto wins: check
3. Islanders win: check
4. Edmonton wins: OT loss…. oh well, they got a point, but it looks like the Habs will not be in 29th unless they lose against the Leafs… I think I’d rather they won against the Leafs

Karma say’s you will see Patrick Roy stand at the podium and pick Grigorenko in June.. If anyone knows Girgorenko it’s Roy… I can’t see the Habs taking the chance with a player that just finished severe knee injury after Markov…

Perhaps Habs should beyond the obvious first 3-4 players. None of them of a Crosby / Ovechkin caliber so they are probably 50/50 at best to become somewhat of impact players in the NHL. I feel like somewhere 10-15 spots above there is another Claude Giroux or Ryan Getzlaf that Habs outta look at. Just my feeling though. I barely parler francais so what do I know?

Mainly because he avoids contact, and he was catching some heat last month because some scouts were questioning is work ethic.

Galchenyuk uses his size too his advantage and doesn’t shy away from physical play, and his offensive potential is just as good.. if not for missing the regular season with a bad injury I think he would be going 2nd overall.

One scout reported on TSN that he is lazy and not committed to showing up evey night…kind of AK47esque…
Probably a scout working for a team picking 7th or 8th and hoping this rumour will take and Grigorenko drops far enough for them to take him…

I agree with you that the OHL is a tougher League to amass stats. The Q. is always wide open hockey with several weak teams each year, resulting in many blowouts and artificially high offensive stats.
The OHL seems to have more parity and plays a tighter checking game much like the NHL.
Having said that, I don’t pretend to know enough about the top prospects to make an educated pick but I pray Timmins does.
If we win the Lottery, Yakapov is the no brainer but after that Grigerenko, Galchenyuk and Forsberg are all a coin flip as to which will be the best NHLer…

If the Habs pick third Grigorenko could easily still be there. Edmonton *should* pick a Defenseman (based on organizational needs), and Yakupov *should* go 1st (because he’s the best player available). We’ll see what happens though.

Deal the pick for Getzlaf if he’d ink a long-term deal? 27 years old, 6-4, 225-pounder; might be available coming off a down year. Already with a 90-point season under his belt, that would pretty much be the top end of what you’d hope for from the pick. Getzlaf-Cole-Pacioretty would be awfully tough to play against.

As stated, his work ethic has been questioned but he’s crazy talented. But no one’s a sure thing. Can Yakupov’s body stand up to the physical style? Is Galchenyuk’s knee susceptible to another injury? Forsberg seems like the safest of the 4 but also the has the lowest roof.

“Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting? He’s 6’2″ , weighs 185 and will fill out his frame. Galchenyuk tore up his knee and missed almost all of Sarnia’s season, but some scouts see him as another Marion Hossa.

How about Radek Faksa, a Czech kid playing for the Kitchener Rangers. Also 6’2″ and highly regarded.”

Galchenyuk is 6’2 205 pounds now. He was 185 his first year in the OHL. Faksa is not going in the top 5 and is out with a concussion I believe.. He may not even go in the top 10 with all the top D prospects this year.

Its Grigs,Gally or Forberg for us. I think Grigorenko will be there at 3rd with EDM likely taking Ryan Murray. Although if Grigs is gone Im fine with Galchenyuk, he is much more well rounded.

Doubt it. He looked great in the playoffs. Was generating a ton of chances. Robbed by the goalie a couple times, 4pts in 4 games. I also thought I read that Malkin had the same injury before he was drafted.

I could see that type of injury affecting most players draft ranking, but he has too much talent to pass up on.

That he has come back and shown something is another positive. Either he or Forsberg if we are picking 4-5. Will a d-man go top 5? If so that helps our odds since I no doubt think we are gunning for a forward. Actually a dream scenario is we trade up and get another 1st rounder, someone like Frk.

I’ll admit, I didn’t have a chance to see him play – but did he look great while amassing his -10 in his 8gp? He was probably rusty, and Yakupov was just as bad in that category (-7 in the 6 playoff games), but still.

Forget about the wider implications of your ignorant comment for a second and calculate the number of coaches, players and upper management who are from Quebec across the NHL… forget about the number in history who have been involved in winning the Stanley Cup. I won’t take the time, but if there is one other geographic region in the world with as small a population that can rival in terms of numbers in the NHL, show it to me. So bringing in a coach, GM, etc from Quebec does not make the team a joke. There’s a pretty good talent pool from Quebec, especially younger coaches and GM candidates.